CSSC Jiangnan Shipyard held a signing ceremony on 25 June to mark the conclusion of a contract to build four 175,000-cbm LNG carriers, in a deal involving Cosco Shipping Energy and energy major Shell.

The vessels will be equipped with WinGD XDF 2.2 main engines — running primarily on LNG and integrating iCER and VCR technologies — alongside low-methane-slip generators, optimised shaft generators and a reliquefaction system. These features are expected to reduce fuel consumption as well as lowering carbon emissions and methane slip, Jiangnan said.

The four carriers are based on what Jiangnan describes as a proven hull design, incorporating a next-generation hull form with large twin skegs, designed to enhance hydrodynamic performance.

Senior executives from all three organisations attended the ceremony, including Tom Summers, executive vice president of Shell; Joshua Lim, Shell's vice president of Global LNG Trading and Shipping; Zhang Yong, deputy general manager of Cosco Shipping Energy; and Xiao Wenlin, general manager of Jiangnan Shipyard, among others.

Zhang Yong commented: "We cherish the trust and friendship established through this partnership and look forward to further deepening these ties. Looking ahead, we see immense potential for deeper cooperation across the entire LNG value chain. Cosco Shipping Energy will leverage its operational strengths to meet Shell's global trading needs and provide steadfast support to Jiangnan Shipyard throughout the construction process."

Upon delivery, the vessels are to operate under long-term charter agreements with Shell.